Wow! Wild Crazy exciting! A year and a half ago my incredibly supportive daughter held a July Birthday in August for me as a fund raiser for a solo intensive with Master Storyteller and the nation’s foremost storytelling coach Doug Lipman! I am so beyond honored and excited as a dream is coming true. Being out here in Plymoth MA, with my daugher and grandson, getting ready for a day of story coaching with Master Storyteller Doug Lipman!
Stories – images. Taking images of our dreams, what 
we want, our goals and writing the script to make them a reality – our beloved destination. A year and a half ago, with appreciation accompanied with an inner knowing that it was time for a life change. Time to explore my passion – stories and storytelling. Through a leap of faith I retired from my Medical Social Work position and am pursuing new avenues to be of service through my gifts and abilities. Thank you Andrea’ and so many others that have supported me, encouraged me in my hero’s journey – my story of my new destination in life.
I remember my daughter coming to me all excited – an idea, an image that would help me in my dream. A thank you from her for my support in her dream of dancing. What an incredible honor – an image, an idea, a service that I never thought of, realized or believed it was something that I could do or benefit from. Thanks to her image – the place every great story begins, taking action on that image and her belief in me through this journey, I have indeed “beat the devil”, romanced the dragons and reached my destination! Tomorrow’s story is the ending to a new beginning as I set out to seek my fortune!
In gratitude and appreciation!
Until next time . . . Let a Storyographer’s Journey begin!
The stories we create for ourselves, often stories that repeat over and over again through out our lives. We all go out on the hero’s journey, a quest that is filled with adventure, suspense, beasts and even enchantment, but never with out a host of unseen helpers. It isn’t uncommon to try and “teach pigs to fly”, often out of fear, anger or feelings of powerlessness that keep us trapped in a story that we really don’t want to be in. Yet in reality, it is our story, our journey to seek our fortune – riches, romance, fame . . . what ever this fortune is for us. Through out our journey there will be the things we try that, well, don’t quite end as expected! Yes, as we continue on, we come to the magic kiss, the bull’s eye, the unexpected arrival at the ball. We will never get there is don’t make the first step. We will never get there is we don’t have a destination in mind. We will never get there if we spend our day’s trying to teach pigs to fly”.
What is your journey, your destination, your adventure? Remember, it is your story and no one can tell it the way you can! Think of a favorite story of folk tale, take the main character and put your name in on the title. Where are you going? Sure-would, than do it, forest? All those years of practice really did pay off – a split arrow in the bull’s eye of your life’s dream. The glass slippers really did have your name on them. Then there was the kiss . . . now there is another story!
In your story, what challenges are you over coming? How is the ending different than the beginning? What changes have happened inside of you and your life as a result of this journey? Who are the “unseen” helpers that have added their special magic along the path? What are you doing in celebration of your victorious ending?
Until next time . . . Let a Storyographer’s journey begin!
Storytelling: Community through… Competition?
by Katie Knutson
Chances are that your path to storytelling and mine are quite different. Maybe you were a part of the storytelling revival of the 1970’s; maybe you discovered storytelling within another career path; or, maybe you started as a story listener. I am guessing that few of you had your first introduction to storytelling via competitions.
High school Forensics (or Speech) was for people like me – those who were interested in the performing arts and had a fiercely competitive nature. The Storytelling category meant I would have to learn not one, but five different pieces, each fitting a different theme, and be prepared to share any one of them at the judge’s discretion.
At my first meet, I sat in the room silently, rehearsing my stories in my head and ignoring the other participants. Then someone said, “Hi! What’s your name? Where are you from?” The energy in the room shifted as we all introduced ourselves. Suddenly, I did not have to be afraid; we were all in this together.
The sense of community that we developed persisted in the storytelling category. In other categories, participants sat silently, and would even try to distract their competitors. However, the storytellers talked, complimented each other on stories, shared ideas, laughed, and celebrated the successes of our competitors. After all, the better our competition was, the better we had to be.
Was there something special about storytelling that created community among competitors? Was it the act of sharing stories or the people who created the sense of belonging?
I found the same warm, welcoming storytelling community in NSN, Northlands, and Northstar Storytelling League (our organization in Minnesota). At my first national and regional conferences, experienced storytellers like Kevin Cordi, Mike Mann, and Michael D. McCarty helped me get started with free advice on everything from marketing and working with schools to finding other resources and connecting with local storytellers. Seven years later, I could easily add dozens more names to the list of generous storytellers who have offered their support, encouragement, and guidance along the way.
Professional storytellers compete through auditions, workshop proposals, and grant applications. We vie for the same teaching and performing slots at schools, libraries, festivals, and conferences. Despite this competition, the community persists. We come together to share our stories, best practices, and skills. We welcome newcomers and encourage others to join us – not because there is so much work that we cannot do it all, but because we have a passion. We get to use our gifts to make a difference, and have a wonderful time doing it.
Why do you think storytelling creates community among competitors? Is it the acts of sharing and refining stories or studying our craft? Is it a rejection of scarcity of work and a commitment to abundance for all? Do storytellers spend so much time working alone that we long for a community? Or, are out-going, generous, and social people naturally drawn to storytelling? What do you think? My goal is not to answer these questions, but inspire conversation.
This is the kind of thing you can expect each issue. This column will consist of questions, stories, interviews, opinion pieces, question/answer sections, or whatever else I feel like writing. The same piece will be posted on the NSN blog, and you will be encouraged to respond. The focus of this section will be on ‘New Voices’ – the 18-35-year-old age bracket. Most younger storytellers want to know the same things you do – how to navigate copyright issues, publish their work, expand their skills, apply their craft to other professions, market themselves effectively, get paid a reasonable wage, and much more. For the most part, I will not be addressing those things – that is what conferences, workshops, guilds, and this magazine do quite effectively.
My goal is to give a voice to the next generation of tellers, create an intergenerational dialogue, pose questions, and challenge beliefs and assumptions. I want to get you thinking, to get you talking, to get you involved in your storytelling community. Along the way, I may provoke you. Who knows, I may even offend you. I hope to be so lucky.
About Katie
Katie Knutson has spent more of her life as a storyteller than not. She holds a degree in Theatre and spends her days working in schools using theater and storytelling to teach literacy, playwriting, acting, improvisation, and teamwork. She leads a variety of workshops for adults, including voice and movement, and has served extended terms on the boards of Northstar Storytelling League and Northlands Storytelling Network.
Contact Katie
Website: www.ripplingstories.com
Email: stories2teach@gmail.com
Thank you Katie! Wow! What an example for so many of our stories. Stage performances or the stories we share on a daily basis. Are we willing to listen, to support, to encourage? Yes, as birds of feather flock together, sharing and supporting individual’s unique gifts, also brings us into a community that is achieving excellence in their success as we achieve excellence in our success!
To your story rich journey!
Until next time . . . Let a Storyographer’s journey begin!
Memories, their images, their emotions, their stories!
Five years old! My grandson just celebrated his 5th birthday! I remember when my daughter was five years of age. We headed out to a local Pow Wow and decided to camp that night. New friends invited us to their site – armed with a Honda Civic, no tent, tarp or sleeping bag, we prepared for the warm summer night along the Grand River.
Sitting out around a small camp fire, roasting marshmallows, under the securing branches of a large maple tree, a friend wisely commented: If the tree could talk . . . Hum, I wonder what the tree would say? Thinking of how many decades the tree watched people and animals, heard stories, felt tears, celebrated joy, faced weather . . . Wow! What an honor to be in her presence, wondering what she might say. At the time I never thought of asking her, then being willing to listen for her response. I wonder what she would say. I even wonder sometimes what I would say, as I too have watched animals and people, hear stories, felt tears, celebrated joy, faced weather . . . What would I say as people listened? What would you say as people listened?
Until next time . . . Let a Storyographer’s Journey begin!
It all happened on the corner of Hist-ed and 32nd . . . following in hot pursuit . . . so far only two flat tires and one exploding muffler . . . suspects will be charged for exceeding the town’s noise decibel level ordinance, the illegal ingestion of gummy bears while in possession of illegal squirt guns . . .
Aromatics-dale town officials just issued an emergency outdoor walkers advisory. Local authorities recommend enclosed motorist vehicle traffic only until further notification. A neighborhood dog is under surveillance in the suspected ingestion of a near lethal quantity of skunk week. Poo droppings exceed recommended daily olfactory sensory intake levels. At this time the Stink Squad declines comment as to the possible ramifications of accidental dog poo trespassers. Please immediately contact your local smell care team if physical contact should occur . . .
“Oh man, I just don’t get it. Every day I set my goals and say my 101 affirmations for a good day and the patience to be happy.”
“Hum, so, please tell us what this morning’s goal is and how your day has gone so far.”
“You know, I really believe in the power of positive thinking, affirmations and goal setting. I have been making this a daily practice for the last 20 years.”
“Continue please.”
Well today, you would never guess what happened! I over slept because my cat hair balled my alarm clock. I went outside to pick up the morning paper and stepped in the neighbor’s dog dew. I started in immediately saying my next round of positive thinking affirmations and forgot all about the ooze coming off my feet. It would not have been so bad, but I tripped over the end table, the one next to my sewing machine and skidded across the floor, knocking ever the veil on my friend’s wedding dress – the one she paid me to fix, and it some how it got a bit stained. And when I put it in the wash machine, I really don’t know how it happened, but . . .
How often to any of get into the “newscaster headlines” of Murphy’s Law, as our voice pitch get’s higher, our speech gets more rapid and a smile crosses our faces as with share endless lists of the day’s calamities.
Really, what is our story of a “good day”, or better yet the most incredible day of our lives, until tomorrow becomes the most incredible day of our lives. It’s your story to tell.
Until next time . . . Let a Storyographer’s Journey Begin!
From stage to personal fans, a story grows in life, illumination, imagery and captivation through our ability to “see” what others are hearing. The expressions on listener’s faces, the enlightenment in their eyes, the stance of their bodies, the comments of their voices, all tell us what is most captivating, through provoking and riveting in the stories we share. A true and committed listener may also help us to “hear” what we are saying or needing to hear within and for our selves.
The gift of listening, the cornerstone and power behind any story and any teller. Take a few minutes and think about those in your life that have truly taken the time to listen – not just simply waiting for their turn to talk. Think about how this makes you feel. Think about how genuine listening impacts the words, ideas and thoughts that you are communicating. Then maybe think about the best way to say “thank you” for validating the power of story with in me and my life. Thanks for listening!
Until next time . . . Let a Storyographer’s journey begin!
An old favorite in a fresh light as I listened to Mary Morressey’s message this past Sunday in Warren, MI. The well told tale unfolds, a rather handsome man, hair long and flowing, the strength of an army. Army, yes an army and the opposing militaristic forces were desperate in search of another strategic idea, or two or three. The idea came, of course, the incredible beautiful, seductress Delilah. The kind of women that could make almost any man’s eye’s glaze over, his heart melt and his truest confessions spill forth. Often makes me wonder if she knew Helen of Troy.
However she has some work ahead of her. Persistent in the heat of passion and romance, she remains centered, focused on the ultimate question – where does your strength lie?
“Honey, I got it, I flaunt it, that’s all anyone needs to know!”
The routine continues, until in a moment of spirited intoxication, in a second of romantic passion, he shares his secrete drifting off into an enchanted sleep. No magic kiss at the end of this one. Bound, the source of his strength now gone with a clip of the scissors, as he hair lies strewn on the ground beneath his feet, he is taken captive by the opposing army. Eyes poked out, now tied to a grinding wheel, he spends his days making small circular rounds.
Strength vs doubt. An intriguing story of personal power, of strength of diverted focus and attention. An inspiring story of remaining true to the uniqueness of who we are and the incredible gifts we have to share.
Until next time . . . let a Storyographer’s journey begin!
Wow! “All I want for . . . yes, we know!” From seasonal holidays – Thanksgiving, filled with gratitude for the abundance of things, people and events in our lives. Leaving with an increase in value as we reflect and give thanks and gratitude for people, experiences and things that have increased the value in our lives.
Christmas and other similar gift giving celebrations or ceremonies. Wow! Yes, what do want for . . ? Wow! Yes, we can want and receive! How exciting, how fun, how magical! How live living ok-ed, stamp of approval – which always makes it better!
New Year . . . . Celebration!!!!!!!! Party!!!!!!!!!!!! Resolutions . . . thinking, making, contemplating . . . ok, we’ll try again next time. Resolutions, goals . . . hum, Yes, I want this this year and I want that this year and I . . . Hum, I want . . . If we can ask and receive at Christmas, then why can’t we ask and receive all year long?
Wow! What if next Thanksgiving we celebrated the gifts we asked for and received this new year? What would this next year’s story be?
Once upon a 2012 . . . Yes, I received my chance to ride horse . . . to experience the longest romantic kiss from the sexist . . . to not only drive, but purchase the car of my dreams . . . to spend that extra time with my grandchildren . . . to wear that red dress . . . to see my name of my, well now former, bosses door . . . to have someone look deep into your eyes telling you how much you touch their lives . . .
I am so happy and grateful now that . . . I received the incredible gifts I gave myself this year!
Until next time . . . Let a Storyographer’s Journey Begin!
Things happen, life happens, sometimes in unexpected ways. Stories, memories, the things that make as smile, laugh, cry, shake, run, the very things that make us human.
Following the recent passing of my Father and facing the challenges of several robberies, it was a bit challenging to walk into his house and to prepare for the next level and direction. Tears filling my eyes, waiting for my daughter and grandson to come, asking that someone or something help ease the pain. A knock came on the door and a man my Father knew offering a carriage ride. A smile filled my face, eyes welled up with tears. He listened, offered to wait for my daughter and grandson and off we went just ahead of the snow. My four year old grandson laughed sitting up by the driver, my daughter’s eyes and face filled with excitement and hope, I smiled in gratitude at the kindness in another’s heart.
The best part was pulling into the gas station riding in a horse drawn carriage! The horse added it’s contribution and we continued on.
Entering my Father’s house, now with a smile on our faces, a new friend and some support, eased the pain and made our next steps lighter and more hopeful. Wow! One person thinking of another ended up giving such an incredible gift of hope and support to anther’s family. I am now excited to think of another and to see what story lies ahead for myself and who knows how many others.
Until next time . . . Let a Storyographer’s Journey Begin!
Bil Lepp. The workshop I took from him so many years ago at the Dogwood Fine Arts Festival comes roaring into mind. Ah yes, the fine art of telling tall tales. Starting out is really quite simple, boring and slow. Sunlight filled the rows of Maple trees lining the dirt road, curving in front of the pond near the pig pens behind the weathered brown chicken coup. Across the street, on the corner of Troughton and Sowburro Dr. is Mr. Pork Your Belly’s All You Can Eat Eatery, recently voted Best Slop in Town. Peering through the chicken wire, with a swines eye view of the neon lit dinner, Hog Eater’s Anonymous Support Group members gather for their weekly twelve step meeting. Local porkers pig out on carrot and celery sticks prior to the meeting’s call to order. Tonight’s Tis the Season discussion: The ramifications of binge eating and it’s implications regarding pre-holiday stress syndrome (PHSS) and pen-demic seasonal roasts. Bil Lepp suggests taking an animal – Pig! and putting down all the things that come to mind such as common names, sayings, body parts . . . Once you get a good selection down, then move on into story mania! Wild Crazy! Usually a tall tale starts out slow, rather almost boring. The mind feels like, oh yes, yawn, I already know this stuff. As the story line builds, so does the believably unbelievable. If you give the mind enough “reality” as it knows, then build from there, the mind begins to “believe” the unbelievable. Well it must be true because this is true, and if this is true, than this must be true as well. As the story builds the mind finds itself easily believing the unbelievable as you weave in familiar with unfamiliar images. Until next time . . . Let a Storyographer’s Journey Begin!
we want, our goals and writing the script to make them a reality – our beloved destination. A year and a half ago, with appreciation accompanied with an inner knowing that it was time for a life change. Time to explore my passion – stories and storytelling. Through a leap of faith I retired from my Medical Social Work position and am pursuing new avenues to be of service through my gifts and abilities. Thank you Andrea’ and so many others that have supported me, encouraged me in my hero’s journey – my story of my new destination in life.
